In line with the Sangh Parivar'svirtue of research and reform, a workshop for ministers of the eight BJP-ruled states was organised between November 10 and 12, 2006 at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini (RMP) in Keshav Srushti, Bhayander. This workshop, which focussed on the central theme of good governance, was attended by 99 ministers.
For three days, the concept of good governance was highlighted through presentations, group discussions and guidance from the top leaders of the party. The other related topics that were covered at the workshop include RSS? ideology and good governance, success stories of good governance, coordination between the various organisations affiliated to RSS and the strategy for future growth (including upcoming elections). Various sectors were discussed in detail in group discussions spanning ministerial portfolios like finance, industry, law, forests and tribal development, agriculture and livestock farming, tourism and culture.
BJP national president, Shri Rajnath Singh, inaugurated the workshop on November 10. He also released the annual report of RMP for 2005-06. In his inaugural address, he said that all ministers should work like efficient professional managers. He added, ?While doing so, good governance and the ideology of RSS should be skillfully blended into it. There should be transparency and farsightedness in the behaviour of ministers, which will enable the process of transforming nar (human being) into narayan (God). Leadership skills, introspection, equality, clean image, respect for the system and the right use of IT are essential in this endeavour.? He emphasised that the country needs to take a firm stand in the context of Pakistan, while combating terrorism.
This workshop, which was attended by ministers from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Bihar and Karnataka, witnessed the presence and guidance of a cross section of the party'sleadership including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Shri Lal Krishna Advani, former party president Shri Venkaiah Naidu, vice-president Shri Bal Apte, senior leader Shri Gopinath Munde, former ministers Dr Murli Manohar Joshi and Shri Ram Naik, spokesperson Shri Prakash Javadekar, Smt. Rekha Mahajan and party general secretaries Shri Ananth Kumar and Shri Thavarchand Gehlot. Deputy chief ministers of Karnataka and Bihar?Shri Yediyurappa and Shri Sushil Kumar Modi respectively – also participated in the workshop.
The workshop concluded at the hands of Shri Advani on November 12. In his speech, he said, ?The people of India look up to BJP for good governance and hence every karyakarta, including ministers, should take pride in the national cause for which they are working. Over 50 years of Congress rule could not transform swarajya (independence) into surajya (good governance) and we should work towards it with a prudent approach.? He added that while mixing political prudence with good governance, care should be taken not to forget one'sideology and not indulge in vote-bank politics.
Shri Advani praised the learning culture of BJP and added that such workshops by RMP would go a long way in training BJP ministers towards bringing sushasan.
BJP, since its birth as Jan Sangh in 1951, has been steering the course of all the national issues like upholding democracy, freedom of press and national integrity. It has been relentlessly fighting for these causes. Thousands of people like Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee have sacrificed their life in the process. Shri Advani further said, ?Unlike the communists, who think that India is a multi-national state, we believe that India is one nation. One also needs to understand the difference between pseudo-secularism and genuine secularism.? Stressing on the point that BJP believes in the integrity and unity of India as one nation, a concept that has been practised since the ancient past, Shri Advani cited the example of Adi Shankaracharya who hailed from Kerala and travelled all over the country up to what is now known as Pak-occupied Kashmir, preaching the great culture of this land, over 2000 years ago.
The NDA government was successful in installing confidence in the minds of Indians and NRIs that this country can rise and lead the world in the 21st century. ?Going forward, the task is to remove the backwardness, which still remains and this can be achieved when the British rule'spolicy of maligning Indian culture is reversed. We should also radically revolutionise and change the ugly face of Indian polity,? noted Shri Advani.
He paid rich tributes to the late Shri Pramod Mahajan, who played an instrumental role in building a state-of-the-art training and research centre like RMP. He released a CD on Shri Mahajan'sspeeches on effective public speaking.
Shri Advani proudly mentioned the recent electoral victory of BJP in UP civic polls and expressed confidence about a positive outcome of the two by-elections in Maharashtra.
Apart from study, introspection, discussions and preparation for the upcoming tasks, Yoga sessions were also held in the tranquil environs of Keshav Srushti, with nature in all its myriad forms for company!
Media turnout at RMP was very strong and the workshop saw healthy interaction between the seat of power and the fourth estate. Finally, RMP director general Shri Vinay Sahasrabuddhe thanked all the dignitaries and participants and expressed confidence about more such workshops in future, which would enable the RSS, the BJP and other organisations in the Parivar to continue their speedy growth in every sphere.
